Tin Pan Alley Productions is the result of my self seeking determination to find equal footing with men and women who I have performed volunteer board service with over the years starting with Shanti back in the early 1990's when I was new to my HIV diagnosis. Unable to write checks to the agencies I served because I'd gone on disability and was limited in the amount of assets I could have to maintain my Medicare and other benefits, I started producing small one night performances at various clubs like The Plush Room, Octavia Lounge, Martuni's and The since name changed Pan Pacific Hotel. I would ask talented local performers to join others and put on a three or four performer event with hosts, masters of ceremonies, sponsors and underwriters so the event proceeds would go to the agency I was volunteering for.
I'd met Craig Newmark in the early days of HIV when he was developing Craig's List and stayed loosely in touch over the years and when he launched Craig's List Foundation and held their first annual Non Profit Boot Camp, I submitted my idea for Tin Pan Alley as a portal between performing artists from our home grown and visiting talent, venues like hotels and clubs, sponsors like alcohol beverage companies and non profits seeking help with raising funds and awareness through special events. Through that first Craig's List Foundation Boot Camp I was able to secure pro bono legal representation and the California Non Profit Benefit Corporation became a reality. During the year it took to get our IRS number, we operated under the fiscal sponsorship of the Rainbolt-Hampton Foundation started by an early partner in the development of Tin Pan Alley, Shaynee Rainbolt who is a very talented singer living now and performing in New York City.
One of the first and most consistent stars I've been honored to work with is Tim Hockenberry, an amazing musician, singer, songwriter and human being who gives freely of his talent and time to support many great causes. Right behind Tim are; Connie Champagne, Bill Cooper, Spider Saloff and Ray White were the cast and master of ceremonies at my first Plush Room show for Shanti. That became Stu Smith's Annual Holiday HobNob to Benefit Shanti. Many stars subsequently became regular parts of our little organization like Spencer Day, Kim Nalley, Denise Perrier, Mike Greensil, Larry O' Leno, Barry Lloyd, Shawn Ryan, Danny Williams, Tess Kelly (now our board president and performing around the bay area), Bill Bunn, Shirley Smallwood, Tammy White, Kathy Holly, Bud E. Luv, Benn Bacot, Donna Sachet, Christopher Caen, Janet Reilly, Clara Shayevich, Bruce Bellingham, Richard Skipper, Bruce Phillips, Lua Hadar, Kim Kuzma, Bob Sarlatte, Lisa Baney and Linda Kasut among many others.
We've had the pleasure and privilege of producing World Aids Day for The UCSF Aids Research Insititute and a major concert of hurricane relief after Katrina. Clint and Janet Reilly, Donna and Chuck Huggins, See's Candy, The Pan Pacific Hotels, many famous clubs and private homes have been made available to produce these events and sponsors like Stolichnaya, Barefoot Cellars, Luxor Cab Company and too many to spell out have joined hands in all our efforts. We've also supported a new philanthropic program called HOTT created by our board president Tess Kelly aimed at helping youth with grants and scholarships in the performing arts. I've been producing and hosting a public access television show to create content related to performance art in the San Francisco Bay Area called The Drag Show and Frisco Today.
Tin Pan Alley Productions exists to create community in the ever present need for music to solve and heal the needs of those less fortunate through performance our audience will support. We always seek ideas and opportunities to support each of our dynamic stakeholder groups, Non Profits, Performers, Venues, Sponsor and Audiences.
